Those that can, do. Others Teach

Teaching as a profession is considered by many as a last resort, a choice one exercises when nothing else seems possible. But recently I have been spurt in the interest among many to join the teaching profession. This urge to join the profession is being driven by the recession and slowdown and teaching is being seen as a safe option.

I see it as both as an opportunity as well as a threat, because we do need people who have spent time in the industry to come and teach (especially true in Management education), but then is it true that someone who has been doing well in the industry (assumption) would do well in teaching too. The skill sets needed are quite different. Apart from that is the issue of how long would these people be committed to the profession , and once the economy rebounds , what would happen????

It is an opportunity if we are able to get some of these good people to remain and contribute in the long run also. Provided they are the right fit into teaching..

But then one needs to move out of the mindset that teaching is an option one explores when other things are difficult. Though there might be a few who might have accepted teaching as a last resort, but we all have met many others for whom the profession is a clear decision.

Because as with everything else in life if one wants to excel in a sphere of activity , commitment and passion is needed and without that one would end up vegetating in any profession , including teaching....